Goddard, Romero to Host Anti-Crime University for Southern Arizona Seniors

(Phoenix, Ariz. -- Nov. 9, 2009) Attorney General Terry Goddard and Tucson Vice-Mayor Regina Romero today invited Southern Arizona residents to join them at a Tucson Senior Anti-Crime University on Friday, Nov. 20, starting at 8 a.m. The event will take place at the Pima Community College Desert Vista Campus, 5901 S. Calle Santa Cruz, in Tucson. Goddard and Romero will be joined by other local leaders in law enforcement and issues affecting seniors.

This will be the fourth in Goddard’s statewide series of Senior Anti-Crime Universities designed to teach attendees to detect scams targeting older citizens and help them avoid many kinds of fraud. Each university will offer a half-day of classes in consumer fraud and scams, identity theft, life care planning/health care directives, Medicare/Medicaid fraud, financial exploitation, elder abuse and neglect, Internet safety and charitable giving.

"Keeping Arizona seniors well-informed provides the best defense against frauds and scams," Goddard said. "The Anti-Crime University will present a wealth of useful information to identify all manner of schemes and ripoffs. Protecting seniors has long ranked as a top priority for the Attorney General's Office, and this program moves our efforts up another notch."

Space is limited, so advance registration is required. To register online or get more information, go to the SENIORS tab at the Attorney General's Web site ( www.azag.gov ) and click on ‘Senior Anti-Crime University’ or email SeniorSleuths@azag.gov.

The Senior Anti-Crime University is part of the Attorney General’s new Senior Sleuths project. This volunteer program was created to help Arizona seniors protect themselves and prevent others from becoming victims of fraud and abuse. The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting senior volunteers and will be training them to identify and report scams and to use their knowledge to educate other seniors.

The Senior Anti-Crime University and Senior Sleuths project are partnering with AARP, DES Division of Aging & Adult Services, SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol), Arizona Area Agencies on Aging, Duet, All Arizona School Retiree Association, local police departments and other retiree and senior organizations.